Photo: UpstateNYer · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Schenectady is healthier than 25% of U.S. towns
Schenectady differs from New York on 18 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 17 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Schenectady. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Schenectady
Every town around Schenectady scores healthier
All three graded neighbors are ahead of Schenectady’s C, from Rotterdam (A−) to Niskayuna (A). Around town ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Schenectady
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (25.7%), vs 17.2% across New York. Utility shut-off threats (13.8% vs 8.2%) and no reliable transportation (13.8% vs 8.6%) are higher too. 25.1% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.1% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Mental distress runs high in Schenectady
1 in 5 adults are in frequent mental distress (19.2%), vs 15% across New York. Depression is above the state too: 20.6%, vs 17.5% across New York. Mind & connection ↓
Schenectady is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Schenectady is healthier than 25%. Against the 8,485 towns with similar household incomes ($44K–$73K), it’s healthier than 42%. Health Grade ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the New York figure falls outside Schenectady’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B.
What’s behind Schenectady’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Schenectady is healthier than 25% of U.S. towns, #707 of 755 in New York. Diabetes holds the grade up (fewer adults with diabetes than 46% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 16%).
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Schenectady’s median household income is $58,399; among the 8,485 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($44K–$73K), it’s healthier than 42%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Most New York towns score higher on these estimates than towns elsewhere, so within the state Schenectady is healthier than 6% of graded towns, against 25% nationally.
Where Schenectady compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 6.7% (U.S. 7.9%).
Schenectady and the towns around it
Schenectady’s Health Grade ranks 4th of 4 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schenectady | C | 38.6% | 12.3% | 16.9% | CDC place |
| Rotterdam | A− | 34.1% | 9.7% | 12.4% | ZIP codes |
| Niskayuna | A | 29.9% | 9% | 9% | ZIP codes |
| Niskayuna | — | — | — | — | |
| Rotterdam | — | — | — | — | |
| Glenville | A | 32.7% | 9.5% | 10.6% | ZIP codes |
| East Glenville | — | — | — | — |
Niskayuna, Rotterdam and East Glenville: Census-designated places inside larger towns, graded as part of them. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
25.1% of Schenectady adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.1% across New York.
How Schenectady adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Schenectady runs above New York.
4 in 10 Schenectady adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Out of every 100 Schenectady adults…
Schenectady runs below NY on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 6. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Schenectady
2 hospitals and 1 community health center in Schenectady, plus the nearest just outside it.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Schenectady; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Everyday habits, side by side with New York
Share of adults, with the New York figure marked.
12 miles of trails across 28 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Schenectady adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks New York.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Schenectady adults live with a disability (New York 27.2%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Schenectady
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Schenectady is better than New York on 1 and worse on 17; on the rest, the New York figure falls inside Schenectady’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Schenectady | NY | U.S. | vs NY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 22.8%20.3–25.3 | 18.1% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.3%13.7–17.1 | 12.8% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.2%17.2–21.4 | 15% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 38.6%32.6–45.2 | 28.8% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 12.3%10.8–14 | 11.5% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 34.5%31–38.3 | 32.6% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34.3%30.6–38.2 | 37.7% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 25.2%22.5–28.2 | 24% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 12.4%11–13.9 | 10.3% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.7%6.1–7.4 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.6%6–7.3 | 6.1% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 8.3%7.5–9.1 | 6% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4%3.7–4.3 | 3.4% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 17.8%14.8–21 | 12.8% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 16.9%14.9–19.1 | 11.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 29.3%25.3–33.5 | 25.9% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 15.2%12.6–18.1 | 16.3% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 43.7%37.7–49.4 | 37.9% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 9.7%8.6–11.1 | 7.9% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.2%74.9–81.5 | 80.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 54.6%51.1–57.9 | 63.5% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 85.1%83.4–86.8 | 89.2% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 75.1%72.3–77.7 | 77.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 62.8%58–67.3 | 66.8% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 74.5%67.1–80.6 | 78.9% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 20.6%17.6–23.9 | 17.5% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Feel lonely | 37%32.3–41.9 | 34.2% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 28.8%25.4–32.5 | 26.4% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 25.7%23.2–28.3 | 17.2% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 20.7%18.5–22.9 | 14.5% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 13.8%12.4–15.4 | 8.2% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 13.8%12.5–15.2 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 25.1%23–27.4 | 14.1% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 33.3%29.5–37.3 | 27.2% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 16.1%14.4–18.1 | 13.4% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 16.7%15–18.5 | 12.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.2%5.5–6.9 | 5.6% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 7.5%6.9–8.1 | 5.2% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.2%10.1–12.2 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 5.6%5.1–6 | 3.8% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the New York figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Schenectady
Is Schenectady a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Schenectady is healthier than 25% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health, #707 of 755 in New York. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 42%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Schenectady?
CDC estimates 38.6% of adults have obesity, likely between 32.6% and 45.2%, against 28.8% across New York and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Schenectady?
Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, 1.3 miles in a straight line from Schenectady’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Schenectady have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 9.7% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 8.6–11.1%), against 7.9% across New York.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Schenectady more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Schenectady.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The New York figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.